NYTimes: Graduating From Lip Smackers

Photo courtesy of New York Times

When I see a little girl in make up it makes me cringe. The only thing little girls should be allowed to wear before pre-teen hood is nail polish. On her toes. I do plan to take my daughter for an occasional mani which I think is fine. She has little interest in it now. Very little. Girls up until ages 13 or so should be perfectly fine with hair accessories, hats, and the cute coordinating outfits.

I've always said, to myself anyway, that when my daughter enters into middle school I am taking her for a makeover. A pre-teen/middle school makeover. In my mind this means a new wardrobe, a facial or dermatologist to treat her out of control skin because I'm assuming she'll be in full puberty or entering it and will need to learn how to manage her skin. I also want to take her for her first blowdry. The texture of her hair is spring curls. I had no idea there was such a thing until I overheard a stylist explain this to his client while I was in the next chair. Unlike myself, my daughter will never need a relaxer, also known as liquid crack, but will definitely need good conditioner and a good blowdryer. I will try to hold off on her genetically think eye brows. I have thin brows. Her father has extremely thick brows and his genes won this one.

As for makeup, I'm not going down that road completely. I don't think I'll mind her wearing a little lip gloss and maybe eye liner at 13 but that's where I draw the line. Even now my basic face includes eye liner, mascara, lip stick and powder. I have become addicted to MAC's blot powder. I rarely go full face with foundation, powder, eye shadow, mascara, and a touch of blush with the exception of church and a special occasion. Oh, and of course date night.

My parents did not allow us to wear makeup. I remember wearing Vaseline on my eye lids (can't believe I admitted that) and Vaseline on my lips. I was very plain Jane. I was a preacher's kid. Still am. I also don't remember sneaking make up. I don't think my mom wore much so there wasn't much to sneak. I do remember her eyeliner pencil though. I wonder if my mom knew...


From The New York Times:
Graduating From Lip Smackers
The 8- to 12-year-old girls are turning to makeup, with a little help from their moms.
http://nyti.ms/9qXQ8t